A guild of convenience

It started with a wedding

Another Saugerties-based Etsy shop, Fox & Bear Curiosities, is run by Julie Andersen and Steve Lewis, a couple who first experienced the site as consumers. Fox & Bear sells “handmade crafts, handmade leather items, vintage goods, antique curiosities,” and other items.

“I run the shop and make a lot of the handmade stuff,” said Andersen, who works as a sales associate at Krause’s Chocolates in Saugerties. “The vintage picking is sometimes a joint operation but I usually stumble across whatever we sell. I do the listings, packaging, and shipping.”

Andersen said the couple initially saw the shop as a means of getting extra money for their wedding, “as well as to downsize my massive personal vintage collection.” Before Etsy, she hadn’t taken making jewelry seriously at all.

“I started making jewelry for myself at a young age as well as reworking some clothing when I got a little older,” she said. “I sold a couple things on eBay – reworked clothing – but it never really went anywhere.”

Andersen said she’s enjoyed using Etsy, though she’s learning to exercise caution.

“I love the site and how easy it is to use,” she said. “I am somewhat wary of vintage sellers, though. Sometimes I’ve found that people think items are vintage just due to appearance alone. You have to really do your research and look at the tags to make sure the item is actually 20-plus years old.”

But unlike some Etsy sellers, Andersen isn’t as convinced that the social networking angle is necessary.

“I really don’t find it very important,” she said. “I’ve been asked to join teams but I usually turn the invitation down. I don’t feel the need to get to know people just because we use the same website. I generally only contact people with a question or if they have made a purchase from me.”